Treatment of submental fat

Abstract

This disclosure relates to compositions, kits and methods for non-surgical reduction of localized subcutaneous fat such as that associated with a cosmetic fat accumulation. The methods employ compositions having specific concentrations of a salt of deoxycholic acid which provides a superior fat cell necrosis with modest adverse effects. Examples of localized subcutaneous fat are found in the submental area, in particular under the chin.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. A method for decreasing submental fat in a subject, said method comprising
 (a) applying a grid pattern to mark injection sites spaced about 1.0 cm apart from each other at a treatment area of the subject; and 
 (b) administering a plurality of up to 50 subcutaneous 0.2-mL injections to the treatment area as marked by the grid pattern; 
 
       wherein each injection comprises a phosphatidylcholine-free solution comprising about 2 mg of deoxycholic acid, or a salt thereof; and steps (a) and (b) are repeated up to 6 times at intervals no less than 1 month apart. 
     
     
       2. The method of  claim 1 , further comprising massaging the treatment area after completion of the administration of the plurality of subcutaneous injections. 
     
     
       3. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of subcutaneous injections has a total volume of up to 10 mL. 
     
     
       4. The method of  claim 1 , wherein each injection is administered using a syringe with a 30-gauge, 0.5-inch needle. 
     
     
       5. The method of  claim 1 , further comprising administering to the subject an agent selected from the group consisting of anesthetic agents, anti-microbial agents, vasoconstrictors, anti-thrombotic agents, anti-coagulation agents, suds-depressants, anti-inflammatory agents, analgesics, dispersion agents, anti-dispersion agents, penetration enhancers, steroids, tranquilizers, muscle relaxants, anti-diarrhea agents, and any combinations thereof. 
     
     
       6. The method of  claim 1 , further comprising administering lidocaine to the treatment area prior to the administering of the plurality of subcutaneous injections. 
     
     
       7. The method of  claim 1 , wherein each injection further comprises a lipase. 
     
     
       8. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the solution further comprises benzyl alcohol at a concentration of about 0.8% w/w to about 1% w/w. 
     
     
       9. The method of  claim 8 , wherein the solution further comprises sodium phosphate.